Medical Suffix
-ptosis
drooping, sagging, prolapse
From Greek ptōsis, a falling
Meaning
What does -ptosis mean?
-ptosis is a suffix meaning drooping, sagging, prolapse. It comes from Greek ptōsis, a falling.
The p is silent (TOE-sis). Used alone, ptosis usually means a drooping upper eyelid.
In real words
Medical words with -ptosis
drooping of the upper eyelid over the eye, often shortened to ptosis
a kidney that has dropped or sagged below its normal position
prolapse of the rectum, which drops down out of its normal position
downward displacement of the abdominal organs
Don't mix it up
Parts easily confused with -ptosis
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- 1.4 – Suffix – Building a Medical Terminology Foundation 2e
- Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean
- 1.5: Common Suffixes
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Practice it
Changes in structure
-ptosis is one of 11 parts in this lesson. Learn them together, then take real words apart.
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